1 comment:

I read your comments on the piracy issue on JA Konrath's blog and since it didn't seem like your questions had been answered, I thought I'd answer them for you.

You asked whether the authors concerned about piracy were ones who had not published as many works (as Joe, I'm guessing you meant).

I can say that no, this isn't the case. I have heard reports from bestselling authors with more books published than Joe who are not happy about piracy. In fact, I was contacted by the agent of a well-known bestselling author who discovered her client's works posted on 4shared. She was not happy at all about it.

I actually heard about 4shared from another author who is multi-published and successful. Though I don't have as many published works as Joe and wasn't published by a major publisher like he was, I'm very concerned about piracy. And it has nothing to do with how many works I've published. I could have 50 books out and it would still bother me.

My argument is simple. Piracy is illegal theft. I don't expect anyone will be able to squash it. I even understand why people think they can justify it and why they do it. But that doesn't make it right.

I believe publishers, retailers (and authors when they can) must find ways to get their works in multiple, nonrestricitve formats to the public at reasonable prices. This may help alleviate some theft, but no one knows for sure.

I hope this answers your question. Many authors, in all levels of success and many with dozens of works available, are not happy about piracy. Neither are many of the major writers' organizations.